The RN trained their Artificer apprentices from scratch and upon graduation they are/were equivalent rank to Navy P.O. or in the other services, Sergeant. I say "were" because the last of the Tiffys passed out of training in 2010.
As I remember it. It wasn't unusual to see PO Tiffys without a good conduct badge (four years of undiscovered crime) and Chief Tiffys well below 30 years of age. Someone once suggested that, if they had one, their specialist badge should incorporate a hammock. Can't think why.
